Title: Horse of Bells (2nd Edition)
Author: Pelaam
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Length: Novella (98pgs)
ISBN: 978-1-77101-332-1
Publisher: Breathless Breath (28th November 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: A legendary horse, magic, and a man shrouded in mystery. Who can he trust? Caolan risks both his heart and his life to uncover the truth.
When his life is saved by a stranger, Prince Caolan feels an immediate connection to the man, and promises to meet him again. Forced to break that promise to protect his brother Donal, Caolan waits for the day he can return to the forest.
On their trip home, almost a year later, he and Donal are tricked by their stepmother into attempting to steal the legendary Horse of Bells from the infamous Dark Prince Tuathal. Honor-bound to accept the geis she set them, the brothers leave their castle to complete the quest.
During their journey, they meet the enigmatic Traveler. Caolan is confused and troubled by his reaction to the man. Is he a friend, or are his intentions darker and more deadly?
Purchase Link: http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=1&products_id=693
Review: This is a 2nd Edition and has no changes from the 1st.
While out hunting, Caolan is rescued by a mysterious stranger and Caolan makes a pact with him because of the effect the stranger has on him, but Caolan has to break his pact, but swears to stick by his oath. Donal and Caolan are princes who are sent to safety after an attempt on Caolan’s life, their stepmother is suspected and Donal won’t risk losing his brother. Deceived into returning home Donal is tricked into a geis, an honor-bound quest, it is a geis that will be impossible to fulfill, but Donal and his brother set off for the Dark Prince’s land to obtain the Horse of Bells, picking up the Traveler along the way.
This is another great fantasy from Pelaam, which feels like it should be based on a myth. Both Caolan and Donal are great characters who are wonderful brothers, Caolan is the younger brother and Donal will do anything for him. Donal is strong in body whereas Caolan is stronger in mind, and Donal has always tried to protect his younger brother from their father’s criticisms. When they set out on their quest and Caolan meets up with his lost love it gives them, hope that they will make it to the Dark Prince’s land, but it isn’t easy to obtain a horse who doesn’t want to be obtained.
This story is wonderfully written with a couple of stories entwined, we have two brothers setting out on a quest that is dangerous and finding their true loves, we have an attempted uprising which nearly ends in sorrow and we have a mystical horse that has a mind of its own. The world building is quite good and you get a great feel for the world and circumstances, there is a very heavy medieval feel to the surroundings and you get a strong sense of whimsical myth throughout the entire book. The sexual encounters that we see between the two couples are quite sensual and loving; both couples are well suited and will do the right thing by the ones they love.
I really enjoyed this story as I do like a good medieval feeling fantasy and this one has the added bonus of having two love stories, with danger and sacrifice. Caolan makes everyone see him as a man and Donal shows why he will be king.
I have to recommend this to those who love fantasy, adventure, great characters, an interesting storyline and a very happy blissful ending.